CAN HYBRIDS BE OBTAINED BY GRAFTING 237 
CAN HYBRIDS BE OBTAINED BY GRAFTING ? 
THe Bronvaux MEprLar.* 
By Monsieur E. Journ. 
To this question, so big with controversy, I reply affirmatively, and my 
opinion is supported by facts which I have verified. I will endeavour to 
set forth, as clearly as possible, the facts upon which I base my opinion. 
Although discussed at various congresses, especially at Amsterdam in 
1865, the theory that hybrids were obtainable by grafting has always 
evoked lively opposition. I am certain that after having seen the 
phenomenal ‘Bronvaux Medlar,’* of which I am going to speak, many 
people, even those most opposed to this theory, will consent, if not to 
admit it in its entirety, at any rate to study it with an open mind. 
The Medlar in question, more than a century old, is head-grafted on 
Whitethorn. It was pointed out to me about three years ago, by M. Dardar, 
a landowner at Bronvaux, near Metz, who had observed this tree for a 
long time. Immediately below the graft, the stock (Whitethorn) has 
sent out a branch (which we will call No. 1), intermediate between the 
Whitethorn and the Medlar (Mespilus germanica), being, however, 
nearer to this latter than to the Whitethorn. 
This branch differs from the grafted parts of the tree, that is to say, 
the true Medlar, in that it is thorny and, instead of bearing solitary 
flowers, the blossoms are arranged in corymbs containing as many as 
twelve flowers. The fruits (Medlars) are small, and generally very much 
flattened. 
Just at the side of this same branch, starting from the same point of 
insertion, there has been developed another entirely different (form No. 2), 
the young leaves of which are lobed, downy, and of the shape of those of 
the Whitethorn. The adult leaves, on the contrary, are hardly lobed or 
not at all, somewhat elongated, and in short have a certain resemblance 
to those of the Medlar. Young buds, pubescent; flowers in corymbs, 
nearly analogous to those of the Whitethorn, but a trifle larger, and 
with pubescent calyces. These flowers, two years ago, were rosy ; 
sometimes too the rosy petals alternate with white ones. This year I 
have only remarked white flowers; it is true that I have only seen 
them towards the end of the flowering season, which possibly may 
explain this change of colour. 
The fruits of this form, according to M. Dardar, are lengthened, 
brown, smaller, and completely different from the true Medlar. 
The same tree has also produced, and also just below the graft, another 
very remarkable branch (form No. 3). The base of the said branch is 
simply Whitethorn, but the extremity has been transformed into a branch, 
which, if it be not analogous to form No. 2, is extremely near it. 
* The account of this Medlar first appeared in Le Jardin, and was afterwards 
forwarded to the Conference. 
t See Report of the Horticultural Congress of Paris, 1898, 9th question, “ Of the 
Influence of the Graft upon the Stock, and the Stock on the Graft.” 
